05/07/09 | Breaking Tweets

May 7, 2009

Featured TwitPic: Street peddler in Jakarta, Indonesia

"On my way home from work yesterday. I still love street food peddlers." (Posted by @jenie212, Jakarta, Indonesia)

U.S. banks 'stress test' finds $75-billion vulnerability

Per the Wall Street Journal, the United States federal government announced Thursday that 10 of the nation's 19 largest banks will be required to raise extra capital, as the banks came up $75 billion short of dealing with a hypothetical worst-case scenario 2009.

Even so, it is a more optimistic report than some anticipated even months ago, according to the Journal.

Some Americans used Twitter to share how their banks fared in the stress test.

milestonkin (Los Angeles, Calif.) So, all of the financial organizations I have debt with have failed the stress test. Does that mean if they fail, I am free? 07 May 2009 from TweetDeck

angelb123 (Silver Spring, Md.) My bank is listed as one of the 10 needing money according to stress test. Should I be concerned? Probably not. But should I? 07 May 2009 from twitterrific

alexnydahl (Beaverton, Ore.) My bank passed the "stress test." What's the appropriate response? "Go!, faceless multinational, go! Keep on not being bankrupt! (yet)" ?? 07 May 2009 from TwitterFon

dfeener (Maine) Ugh. I knew BofA would be worst in stress test because I was on the inside. But does the CEO realize how angry he comes across? He looks ... 07 May 2009 from mobile web

artwithbyte (San Francisco, Calif.) Great. My bank is the most at risk following some "stress test" by the government. That makes everything else just PEACHY! 07 May 2009 from web

Others in the Twitterverse responded to the news with questions.

GenRachel (Depew, N.Y.) Bank stress test results in...anyone care? Where is my check book, I shall write them a check....will it help? 07 May 2009 from web

richardbsmith (Chattanooga, Tenn.) Was the bank stress test results just much ado about little? 07 May 2009 from web

NJHounds (New York/New Jersey) $$ Can we now get back to pricing stocks on things like EPS, FCF, etc? Stress test is over, everybody survived. Enough already! 07 May 2009 from TweetDeck

denny111 (Wichita, Kansas) Is anyone shocked to hear that most of the big banks failed their "stress test"? Really? 07 May 2009 from TweetDeck

Bill_Warner (Wake Forest, N.C.) @jack_welch The Stress Test is a scam for more government control of banks isn't it Jack? This is the FDIC's job, right?............Bill 07 May 2009 from web in reply to jack_welch

sapamire (Pennsylvania) stress test says banks need another $75B. when is the madness going to end? http://bit.ly/ryDfF #tcot #teaparty 07 May 2009 from TweetDeck

Jesusita fire displaces 8,000 in California

Per the Los Angeles Times, more than 8,000 have been driven from their homes and at least 20 residences near the Pacific Ocean have been destroyed as the Jesusita fire rages on in Santa Barbara, Calif.

The fire is named for a nearby trail and is the third major fire in Santa Barbara in nine months, according to the article. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is expected to visit the affected area soon, and more than 1,300 fire personnel are fighting the blaze, the Times reports.

Like in past fires, many are using Twitter to distribute information.

sunkiss (Isla Vista, Calif.) RT direct relief's distributing respirator masks for the public at Loreto Plaza (State and Las Positas) from noon to 3pm. #jesusita 07 May 2009 from web

mekahlo (Los Angeles, Calif.) EMER ONLY CALL emergency operations ctr. # 805.681.5197 PLEASE call ONLY if u are a LOCAL resident. #sbfire #jesusita 06 May 2009 from Splitweet

CJamz • (Santa Barbara County, Calif.) Emergency vehicles will be entering the area. Obey all directions given by law enforcement
and fire personnel. #jesusita 06 May 2009 from web

autaba (D.C./California) here for #jesusita sb fire updates, stay safe friends and family http://www.keyt.com/news/local/44422057.html 07 May 2009 from web

Many Twitterers are also sharing personal stories.

aarchitect (Santa Monica, Calif.) My old place in Santa Barbara is now within the mandatory evacuation area. I hope they protect the Mission #jesusita #fire http://tr.im/kKuh 07 May 2009 from tr.im

Lesley3fold (Sacramento, Calif.) Thinking about my cousin who is fighting the #Jesusita fire today. So happy/grateful he can help protect many of my friends homes. 07 May 2009 from TweetDeck

webster69 (Maine) I loved Santa Barbara when we went there, I hope the #jesusita fire is not too damaging. Good luck everyone 07 May 2009 from TweetDeck

elizgeli (Los Angeles, Calif.) just talked 2 my dad; relatives voluntarily evacuated last nite, there's a chance they might lose their house. #jesusita fire is very close 07 May 2009 from web

mike_elgan (California) Wow. On the West Side of Santa Barbara, it just became dark like an eclipse due to smoke. #jesusita 06 May 2009 from web

Some are posting TwitPics:

"#Jesusita Fire in Santa Barbara. View of the front of the house with some crazy smoke action in the background." (Posted by @realsirius23, Santa Barbara, Calif.)

"View of Jesusita fire from my balcony. This is from San Antonio Creek Road west of the 154." (Posted by @chris_m_borden, Santa Barbara, Calif.)

Obama meets with Afghan, Pakistani leaders

Per Voice of America, President Obama says his meetings with Afghan president Hamid Karzai and Pakistani president Asif Ali Zardari were "extremely productive" and is pleased with the "unprecedented cooperation" between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton met with the leaders earlier and expressed that both these nations have a common enemy and the U.S. will aide both countries in minimizing civilian casualties.

Karzai acknowledged the fact that democracy in Afghanistan is young and needs special attention from the U.S.

CBS White House Correspondent Mark Knoller tweeted from the news conferences in Washington, D.C.

markknoller Obama proclaims "extraordinarily productive day" in talks with Karzai
and Zardari. 06 May 2009 from TwitterMail

markknoller flanked by karzai and zardari, obama says we must work together with renewed sense of partnership ... and “take out our common enemy..." 06 May 2009 from web

markknoller Obama said he, karzai and zardari are joined by "a common goal: to disrupt, dismantle and defeat al-Qaeda its extremist allies.." 06 May 2009 from web

markknoller @janieo actually more surprising that Karzai and Zardari didn't speak, much less take questions. WH wanted to control the message today. 06 May 2009 from web

Tweets from the rest of the country react to the sit-down meetings:

boogman7 (Pennsylvania/Colorado) The Afghan and Pakistani President meeting with Hillary and Obama doesn't make me feel any better. Would rather see them meet w/Gen Petraeus 06 May 2009 from web

jtotheCVS (McKees Rocks, Pa.) @ricksanchezcnn I feel meeting today with Obama will help solve the Taliban problem 06 May 2009 from TwitterFon

benmcinnis (Seattle, Wash.) this Obama press conference on the new Afghanistan-Pakistan-US arrangement sounds EXACTLY like a corporate reorg "all-hands" meeting 06 May 2009 from web